We're looking at the possibility of hosting monthly book discussions (or read-alongs), and we would love to get some input from you. We're hoping to announce a book to read at the beginning of February which we would only officially start in March, so as to allow you time to get hold of the book (and get a head start on reading it if you'd like to).

- Are there any books that you would recommend?- Why would those books appeal to HOLers in general?- Are there any discussion prompts you can think of in connection with those books?

Please drop us an email at hol.bookclub @ gmail.com (removing the spaces) with the subject "Book Discussion Nominations".

We look forward to receiving your recommendations!

*Avatar made by Amy*"You have the inborn natural right to remain silent. Don't think about it, don't talk about it, shuush ....... STILL." ~ Xaris

Thank you all for sending in suggestions of what books to read and discuss. If you have any further suggestions, please send them in!

Starting in March, we will be reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Winning will make you famous. Losing means certain death.

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

This book had a huge following when it was first published, long before it was ever made into a film. Why is this? Why is it that so many people who acted in the movie actually vied to get those parts because they loved the book so much.Let's find out.

*Avatar made by Amy*"You have the inborn natural right to remain silent. Don't think about it, don't talk about it, shuush ....... STILL." ~ Xaris

Thanks once again for sending in nominations of books to read and discuss. Please continue to do so!

We’ll be reading Inkheart by Cornelia Funke in April.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father, who repairs and binds books for a living, can "read" fictional characters to life when one of those characters abducts them and tries to force him into service.

Characters from books literally leap off the page in this engrossing fantasy. Meggie has had her father to herself since her mother went away when she was young. Mo taught her to read when she was five, and the two share a mutual love of books. He can "read" characters out of books. When she was three, he read aloud from a book called Inkheart and released characters into the real world. At the same time, Meggie's mother disappeared into the story. This "story within a story" will delight not just fantasy fans, but all readers who like an exciting plot with larger-than-life characters.

Let’s delve into the world of Inkheart and gain an even deeper appreciation for all things literary.

More nominations have been received for books for our Monthly Book Discussions. Thank you -- and do please continue to send in your nominations.

It is my joy and pleasure to announce that in May we are reading ~ ~ ~ drum roll

The Princess Bride - by William Goldman

aka The Princess Bride S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure - The 'good parts' version - Abridged by William Goldman - by William Goldman

The Wikipedia write-up says

The Princess Bride is a 1973 fantasy romance novel written by William Goldman. The book combines elements of comedy, adventure, fantasy, romantic love, romance, and fairy tale. It is presented as an abridgment (or "the good parts version") of a longer work by S. Morgenstern, and Goldman's "commentary" asides are constant throughout. It was originally published in the United States by Harcourt Brace, then later by Random House, while in the United Kingdom, it was later published by Bloomsbury.

It's an lovely book and tells a great story -- and will be a lot of fun to explore and read.

*Avatar made by Amy*"You have the inborn natural right to remain silent. Don't think about it, don't talk about it, shuush ....... STILL." ~ Xaris

In June, we’ll be reading ‘Alanna: The First Adventure’ by Tamora Pierce. Fittingly, it’s the first in her Song of the Lioness series and the first of her books about the magical land of Tortall.

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

"From now on I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight."

And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page.

But the road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies.

Join us for an amazing adventure of swords, sorcery and smashing the glass ceiling.

Remember, if you have any suggestions for future book discussions, you can send them our way at hol.bookclub @ gmail.com (without the spaces)

"Does the Walker choose the path or the path the walker?" -Garth Nix (Av/sig by Amy!)

In September, we’ll be diving into The Old Kingdom with ‘Sabriel’ by Garth Nix!.

Synopsis courtesy of the publisher:

Sabriel is sent as a child across the Wall to the safety of a school in Ancelstierre. Away from magic; away from the Dead.

After receiving a cryptic message from her father, 18-year-old Sabriel leaves her ordinary school and returns across the Wall into the Old Kingdom. Fraught with peril and deadly trickery, her journey takes her to a world filled with parasitical spirits, Mordicants, and Shadow Hands for her father is none other than The Abhorson.

His task is to lay the disturbed dead back to rest. This obliges him and now Sabriel, who has taken on her father's title and duties to slip over the border into the icy river of Death, sometimes battling the evil forces that lurk there, waiting for an opportunity to escape into the realm of the living.

Join us for a heart-pounding journey through 3 worlds: the almost familiar Ancelstierre, fantastical Old Kingdom and the chilling, grey river of death. This isn’t your average zombie or vampire tale - the dead we’re about to encounter are very, very different and, if possible, even more dangerous.

Remember, if you have any suggestions for books we could discuss in future months, you can let us know via hol.bookclub @ gmail.com (without the spaces)

"Does the Walker choose the path or the path the walker?" -Garth Nix (Av/sig by Amy!)